How to Prevent Dry Chapped Lips

Co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD

Last Updated: July 12, 2023 Approved

Chapped lips can be dry, cracked, and painful. They can be caused by a variety of things, including dry weather, licking your lips, and certain medications.^{[1]
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Research source} They tend to be especially bothersome during the cold winter months. Thankfully, you can prevent them by following a few easy practices.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Topical Applications

1
Use lip balm. Apply a lip balm to promote healing and prevent chapped lips. Lip balm also helps to seal in moisture and protect your lips from outside irritations.^{[2]
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Research source}
- Apply lip balm every hour or two to treat dry lips and keep them healthy.
- Use balm with an SPF of at least 16 to save your lips from sun damage.
- Apply lip balm after you have applied a moisturizer.
- Find a balm that has beeswax, petroleum, or dimethicone.
2
Try using petroleum jelly. Petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline) can help seal and protect your lips, acting as a balm. Using petroleum may also help to protect against the sun, which may dry and crack lips.^{[3]
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Research source}
- Apply a sunscreen formulated for lips under petroleum jelly.
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3
Apply a moisturizer. Using a moisturizer will help your lips to stay hydrated and to absorb moisture more easily. Moisturizers are an essential part of keeping your lips as hydrated as they can be. Look for the following ingredients in your moisturizers:^{[4]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Shea Butter
- Emu Butter
- Vitamin E Oil
- Coconut Oil
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Taking Care of Your Lips

1
Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. If you live in a dry climate, prevent dry chapped lips by keeping your air humidified. You can purchase humidifiers at most big-box stores and drug stores.^{[5]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Aim for a humidity level in your home of between 30-50%.^{[6]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Keep your humidifier clean by washing it according to the manufacturer's instructions. Otherwise, it could become moldy or host bacteria and other nasty things that could make you sick.^{[7]
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  Mayo Clinic
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- Start wearing less lipstick. Lipstick can dry out your lips so wear tinted lip gloss or better yet, embrace your bare lips. If you must wear lipstick, stay away from matte. It is very drying.
2
Avoid going out in harsh conditions without protection. Exposing your lips to the sun, wind, and cold will dry them out. Always apply a lip balm or cover with a scarf before venturing out.^{[8]
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Research source}
- Seal in moisture with a lip balm or chapstick that contains sunscreen to prevent sunburning (yes, lips can sunburn too!).
- Apply thirty minutes before going outside.
- If swimming, re-apply the product often.
3
Check your intake of vitamins and other essentials. Having any vitamin deficiencies can cause your lips to dry and crack. Make sure you are getting enough of the following vitamins and minerals, and speak with your doctor if you aren't sure you're getting enough:
- B Vitamins
- Iron
- Essential Fatty Acids
- Multivitamins
- Mineral Supplements
4
Drink plenty of water. Being dehydrated can cause dry, chapped lips. Try to increase the amount of water you drink to help keep your lips hydrated.
- Winter has especially dry air, so make sure to increase hydration during this season.
- Drink at least the recommended 8 glasses of water a day.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Avoiding Irritants

1
Rule out allergies. You may be allergic to substances that come in contact with your lips. Fragrances and dyes are common culprits. If you frequently get chapped lips, use only products on them that have no fragrances or dyes.
- Toothpaste is another common culprit. If your lips itch, feel dry or painful, or blister after brushing your teeth, you may be allergic to the ingredients in your toothpaste. Try switching to a natural product with fewer preservatives, dyes, or flavorings.^{[9]
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  DermNet NZ
  Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health
  
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- Lipstick is the most common cause of contact cheilitis (contact allergy) on the lips for women, but toothpaste is the most common cause for men.^{[10]
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  DermNet NZ
  Online clinical resource website written and run by dermatologists providing evidence-based information about dermatology and skin health
  
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2
Don't lick your lips. Licking your lips will cause more chapping. Even though it might seem like this helps keep them hydrated, it actually dries lips out. In fact, "lip-licker's dermatitis" is frequently seen in people who lick their lips too much, and can cause an itchy rash around the mouth.^{[11]
X
Research source} Use a lip moisturizer instead.^{[12]
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National Health Service (UK)
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- Avoid using flavored lip balms, as this may encourage licking your lips.
- Don't over-apply any product as this may also cause you to lick your lips.
3
Don't bite or pick your lips. Biting lips removes their protective covering which causes further drying. Allow your lips to heal and function without picking or biting them.^{[13]
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- Pay attention to when you bite or pick your lips as you might not notice doing it.
- Ask a friend to remind you not to bite or pick if they see you doing it.
4
Avoid certain foods. Spicy and acidic foods may irritate your lips. Pay attention to your lips after eating and look for any signs of irritation. Try removing these foods from your diet for a few weeks to see if that irritation subsides.^{[14]
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- Avoid anything with hot peppers or sauces.
- Don't eat any highly acidic foods such as tomatoes.
- Some foods, like mango peels, contain irritants that should also be avoided.
5
Breathe through your nose. The constant flow of air caused by breathing through your mouth can dry your lips out and cause them to chap. Breathe through your nose instead.^{[15]
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Mayo Clinic
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- If you have trouble breathing through your nose, see your doctor. You may have allergies or another health condition causing congestion.
6
Look at your medications. Certain medications may dry your lips out as a side effect. Talk to your doctor to learn if any of your medications might be responsible for chapped lips. Medications may include prescription and non-prescription drugs used to treat:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Pain
- Severe acne (Accutane)
- Congestion, allergies, and other respiratory troubles
- Never stop any medication without a doctor's approval.
- Ask your doctor for alternatives or how to manage this side effect.
7
Know when to see a doctor. In some cases, chapped lips may be the sign of another medical issue that will require a doctor's care. If you have any of the following, see your doctor:
- Persistent chapping despite treatment
- Very painful chapping
- Swelling or drainage from the lips
- Chapping in the corners of your mouth
- Painful sores on or near the lips
- Sores that don't heal
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Tips

Always drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.

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Try using chapstick or balm at night to prevent dry lips in the morning.

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Make sure you remember to apply moisturisers in the morning. The driest time for your lips is just after waking up!

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